Plasterer

Video: - Dane: Plasterer

Work Activities

As a Plasterer, you will be mixing and applying plaster to walls and ceilings. This is usually a mix of your own materials or you'll have another Plasterer do it for you.

When a job starts, you will prepare the area to be plastered to ensure that the first coat sticks to the material the wall is made of. Plaster is generally built up in two coats but where the wall is very uneven, three or even four coats may be needed.

Fibrous plasterers work with plaster that has short lengths of fibre added to hold it together while you are working on it. You could make ornamental plasterwork and decorative panels by moulding and casting plaster in workshops. The finished pieces are then fixed on-site.

On historic buildings, specialist skills are often required, for example, to conserve existing plaster work which may be hundreds of years old.

You will need to be quick – plaster dries out quickly so you need to make sure it is of high standard before it has dried. When it is dry, Painters and Decorators can start working on it.

Dry lining is a common alternative to wet plastering work in certain types of construction project. Dry lining involves building internal walls using plasterboard panels. Many plastering firms will also do dry lining work.

Plasterers work across the whole of the construction industry from new housing developments, shopping centres and stadia to restoration projects and sustainable buildings.

You will also be using lots of tools. These could include:

inside and outside corner trowel

finishing trowel

hawks

taping knife

notched adhesive trowel

scratching float

jointing knife

mixing bucket

scarifier

ladders

scaffolding

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal Qualities and Skills

To become a Plasterer, you'll need:

good practical skills

to work very carefully, following specifications

an eye for design. This would be useful in decorative plasterwork

to be physically fit, as the work involves a lot of bending, lifting and stretching

to be self-motivated

awareness of the importance of health and safety in this industry

a good head for heights, as some of the work of a plasterer involves being on ladders or scaffolding

Experience of dry lining work would be very useful.

As you may have to travel around locally, a driving licence would be useful for this type of work.

This job might not be suitable for people who have skin conditions, such as eczema, or breathing complaints, such as asthma.

Pay and Opportunities

Pay

The pay rates given below are approximate:

Starting: £22,000 to £23,000

With experience: £24,000 - £27,000

Senior Plasterers earn £27,500

If you are self-employed, you could charge £10 - £15 per hour.

Hours of work

Plasterers work a 39 hours a week. Overtime, including Saturday and Sunday working, may be available.

Where could I work?

Employers are building contractors throughout the UK.

Fibrous Plasterers normally work for firms specialising in ornamental plasterwork.

Opportunities for Plasterers occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Self-employment

Opportunities occur for experienced Plasterers to work as self-employed Contractors.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on Find a Job, and at Jobcentre Plus.

Entry Routes and Training

Entry

You do not need any qualifications to become a Plasterer. An Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship will be a great place to start. Take a look at our information article 'Apprenticeships – How do I apply', for more details about applying for apprenticeship positions.

There are various relevant qualifications available from organisations like City & Guilds and Edexcel. These courses may be in a more general subject area, such as construction.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

You need a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card to work on site. These cards show that you are qualified to do the work you've been employed for.

CSCS cards will cost £36 and you will have to pass the appropriate Construction Industry Training Board health, safety and environmental test. This costs £21. You will then complete an application form and pay the total price of £57.

The CSCS application form has four sections that you will have to complete: